The decision to hand Luton Town a penalty against Sheffield Wednesday has stirred up controversy.
Sheffield Wednesday were defeated 2-1 on their travels against Luton Town.
Prior to the game, there would have been very few expectations that Danny Rohl’s would have come away with three points against a recently-relegated Premier League outfit.
However, it looked like Sheffield Wednesday were potentially closing in on a massive win against the Hatters, with Owls captain Barry Bannan bagging a second goal in two consecutive league matches, with him connecting to Yan Valery’s corner with precision and power to blast it past the Luton Town shot-stopper.
Despite this brilliant moment from the Scotsman, the game was turned on its head after Luton Town were awarded a penalty in the 75th minute, which saw Di’Shon Bernard handed a red card as a result of an alleged handball in the box, which also led to a penalty, which was converted by Carlton Morris.
It was certainly a controversial decision made by the referee, and Joe Crann has delivered his verdict after the pivotal moment.
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Joe Crann ‘not having’ Di’Shon Bernard handball as Sheffield Wednesday defenders sees red
The decision for the referee to award the home side with a penalty and hand Bernard a red card was a turning point in the game, and saw the momentum shift from one side of the spectrum to the other, with Rohl’s side being fully under the cosh once they went down to 10-men.
It was a bold call from the referee, and Crann, per X, has expressed his feelings towards the decision, where he has said: “That’s Bernard’s shoulder. Not having it.”
The defender was handed just his fourth red card in his entire senior career, and there are no doubts that it completely changed the tide of the game.
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Sheffield Wednesday can count themselves unlucky after Luton Town defeat
Sheffield Wednesday were without a doubt on course for a brilliant victory on their travels, and it will have no doubt completely changed the landscape of the season for Rohl’s side up to this point.
However, they have most certainly been incredibly unlucky to have such a pivotal decision go against them, especially considering Sheffield Wednesday most certainly deserved a penalty in the first half.
Moments like these can without a doubt completely affect Sheffield Wednesday’s season, as it would have been a necessary confidence boost for the side, however the defeat now leaves Rohl’s side firmly in the relegation spots, and whilst some heads may turn on the German boss at this moment, there is hardly anything he could have done to give his side the best opportunity to bag a win on their travels.